Customer Reviews: Read 16 more reviews...
  Weepies are happily together. June 22, 2008
After hearing "Hideaway" and "Antarctica" in separate days, I decided to buy the folky album. I was buying on impulse, which usually turns out good. This was no exception. Stand-out songs from the album are in the end: "Old Coyote" is a nursery rhyme; "Just Blue" is my favorite along with "Lighting Candles." Pick this one up if you're jonesing for some melody and harmony.
Very consistent and well-crafted collection June 19, 2008
The Weepies have arrived. They've created a sound that is unique -- they sound like no one else, and no one else sounds like them, though possibly after the release of Hideaway they will have immitators.
Hideaway is sophisticated folk-pop. Both vocalists have thin voices, but they overcame this by doubling their vocals and creating wonderful layers and choruses of harmony. Add to this a mix of acoustic and dreamy electric guitars, some tasteful drumming, and subtle but very adept bass lines (McCartney-esque at times). This album is self-produced by the band, and these two artists are very good producers. Songs sound lush, well-arranged, fleshed-out. The sound itself is very beautiful, though it lacks the ultimate in clarity, being a home recording, not the product of a big recording studio. Still, the quality is better than many studio recordings.
The songs themselves are concise little drops of harmonious melancholy, for the most part. The melodies are simple, and have the tendency to stick in your head for days. I've had Antarctica running intermittently through my brain for several weeks. The words are sincere, sometimes very sweet, though perhaps not deeply confessional. There is great artistry in the vocal phrasing. The only other group that has impressed me as much in the past year with their songwriting is another boy-girl team, The Bird And The Bee. But they do not even attempt to touch the heart in the way The Weepies do.
Not every song here is a classic, but there aren't really any duds, either. That's a rarity nowadays. I'm very pleased with my purchase.
Where do the Weepies go from here? This album is an almost-perfect package of sadly hopeful tunes. But if they simply repeat these kinds of songs on the next album, I think it would be too much. It's hard for me to imagine them adding an angry edge to their music, or going the other way and making it wholly depressing. Maybe next time they should just shoot for full-fledged joy!
 It's beautiful! June 17, 2008
I haven't enjoyed discovering a recording like this in a long time. It is full of surprises if you keep the volume low. If you crank it up you will want to dance of course. That is that magic of this disc. It keeps giving in unique ways that I still look forward to listen to. If you love a great discovery and a band that will put a wry grin on your face from time to time, may I suggest you listen to the MP3's provided and decide for yourself if you want to weep in sorrow and joy with those who made the conclusion that this is a disc that you need to listen to straight through.
Great cd! June 16, 2008
This is my first Weepies purchase, and I am really impressed. I will definitely get the rest of their albums. Great music!
don't hide this one away! June 13, 2008
This latest release from The Weepies does not disappoint. Haunting melody, often melancholy lyrics, with clever plays on words, The Weepies have become one of my favorite groups. If you like a soft, acoustic sound with pretty harmonies, definitely check it out. Best tracks: Orbiting, Hideaway, Antarctica, Lighting Candles. But really, I just love them all!
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